Method for transmitting image and electronic device thereof

ABSTRACT

A method for transmitting an image and an electronic device thereof are provided. An image transmission method of an electronic device includes displaying a message transmission/reception history with at least one other electronic device, sensing a selection of a camera execution menu, displaying a preview screen of a camera within a screen in which the message transmission/reception history is displayed, detecting a touch on the displayed preview screen, if the displayed preview screen is touched, capturing an image of a subject, detecting a gesture for the captured image, and, if the gesture for the captured image is detected, transmitting the captured image to the at least one other electronic device according to the detected gesture.

PRIORITY

This application is a continuation application of prior application Ser.No. 15/788,220, filed on Oct. 19, 2017, which is a continuationapplication of prior application Ser. No. 13/974,649, filed on Aug. 23,2013, which has issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,800,817 on Oct. 24, 2017 andwas based on and claimed priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) of a Koreanpatent application number 10-2012-0106334, filed on Sep. 25, 2012, inthe Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electronic device. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatusfor capturing and transmitting an image, in a state where a messagetransmission/reception history is displayed in an electronic device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Most of electronic devices such as recently launched smart phone, tabletPersonal Computer (PC) and the like are equipped with cameras in orderto capture an image. Particularly, as a camera function becomesincreasingly important, various interfaces for interworking a cameraapplication with other applications in the electronic device are beingprovided. For example, by interworking the camera application with amessenger application, the electronic device can capture an imagethrough the camera application during messenger application executionand then transmit the captured image to at least one other electronicdevice through the messenger application.

In a case where the electronic device intends to capture and transmit animage during the execution of a general messenger application (e.g.,Kakaotalk), the electronic device performs a process of, afterconverting a messenger application screen into a camera applicationscreen, capturing an image of a subject through the camera application,and again converting the camera application screen into the messengerapplication screen to transmit the captured image. However, there is ashortcoming in that a user has to undergo a plurality of processes inorder to capture and transmit the image during the execution of themessenger application as described above. Also, as the screen conversionfrom the messenger application screen to the camera application screenoccurs as described above, the user suffers an inconvenience of, when amessage is received while capturing the image, failing to determine thereceived message instantly.

According to this, there is a need to provide a method for capturing andtransmitting an image without a trouble process during messengerapplication execution in an electronic device.

The above information is presented as background information only toassist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determinationhas been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the abovemight be applicable as prior art with regard to the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention are to address at least theabove-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at leastthe advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the presentinvention is to provide a method and apparatus for, without screenconversion, capturing and transmitting an image to at least one otherelectronic device, in a state where a message transmission/receptionhistory is displayed in an electronic device.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method andapparatus for displaying a camera preview screen within a screen inwhich a message transmission/reception history is displayed in anelectronic device.

A further aspect of the present invention is to provide a method andapparatus for capturing an image through a camera preview screendisplayed within a screen in which a message transmission/receptionhistory is displayed in an electronic device.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method andapparatus for, after capturing an image through a camera preview screendisplayed within a screen in which a message transmission/receptionhistory is displayed, transmitting the captured image to at least oneother electronic device in an electronic device.

Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method andapparatus for, after capturing an image through a camera preview screendisplayed within a screen in which a message transmission/receptionhistory is displayed, storing the captured image in an electronicdevice.

Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method andapparatus for capturing a video through a camera preview screendisplayed within a screen in which a message transmission/receptionhistory is displayed in an electronic device.

The above aspects are addressed by providing a method for transmittingan image and an electronic device thereof.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an imagetransmission method of an electronic device is provided. The methodincludes displaying a message transmission/reception history with atleast one other electronic device, sensing a selection of a cameraexecution menu, displaying a preview screen of a camera within a screenin which the message transmission/reception history is displayed,detecting a touch on the displayed preview screen, if the displayedpreview screen is touched, capturing an image of a subject, detecting agesture for the captured image, and, if the gesture for the capturedimage is detected, transmitting the captured image to the at least oneother electronic device according to the detected gesture.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an imagetransmission electronic device is provided. The device includes one ormore processors configured to execute one or more programs, a touchsensing display configured to detect the presence and location of atouch, and a memory configured to store data and instructions. The oneor more programs are stored in the memory and comprise instructions todisplay a message transmission/reception history with at least one otherelectronic device, to sense a selection of a camera execution menu, todisplay a preview screen of a camera within a screen in which themessage transmission/reception history is displayed, to detect a touchon the displayed preview screen, if the preview screen is touched, tocapture an image of a subject, to detect a gesture for the capturedimage, and, if the gesture for the captured image is detected, totransmit the captured image to the at least one other electronic deviceaccording to the detected gesture.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings,discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certainexemplary embodiments of the present invention will become more apparentfrom the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a construction of an electronicdevice according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating a construction of a processor of anelectronic device according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2A is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of transmitting acaptured image to at least one other electronic device in an electronicdevice according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a means for transmitting a capturedimage to at least one other electronic device in an electronic deviceaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of capturing andtransmitting an image within a screen in which a messagetransmission/reception history is displayed in an electronic deviceaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of capturing andtransmitting an image within a screen in which a messagetransmission/reception history is displayed in an electronic deviceaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of adjusting a size of apreview screen and a location thereof in an electronic device accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of displaying a previewscreen in any region of a screen in which a messagetransmission/reception history is displayed, to capture and transmit animage in an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of displaying a previewscreen within a talk balloon including a transmission message, tocapture and transmit an image in an electronic device according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of displaying a recentlystored image around a preview screen to transmit the displayed image inan electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of zooming in a previewscreen region by as much as a size of a screen in which a messagetransmission/reception history is displayed in an electronic deviceaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of storing and transmittingan image depending on a progress region of a drag of the image in anelectronic device according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of storing and transmittinga video depending on a progress region of a drag of the video in anelectronic device according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of storing and transmittinga zoomed-in image depending on a progress region of a drag of thezoomed-in image in an electronic device according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbersare used to depict the same or similar elements, features, andstructures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings isprovided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplaryembodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and theirequivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in thatunderstanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatvarious changes and modifications of the embodiments described hereincan be made without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions andconstructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are notlimited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by theinventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of theinvention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in theart that the following description of exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention is provided for illustration purpose only and not forthe purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claimsand their equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes referenceto one or more of such surfaces.

In the following description, an electronic device includes a mobilecommunication terminal with a camera, a smart phone, a tablet PersonalComputer (PC), a digital camera, a laptop computer, a netbook computer,a computer and the like.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a construction of an electronicdevice according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1A, the electronic device 100 includes a memory 110, aprocessor 120, an Input/Output (IO) unit 130, a camera 140, and acommunication unit 150. The memory 110 and the processor 120 can becomposed of a plurality of memories 110 and a plurality of processors120, respectively.

The memory 110 includes a data storage unit 111, an Operating System(OS) program 112, an application program 113, a Graphical User Interface(GUI) program 114, a camera program 115, a message program 116 and thelike. Also, the program that is a software constituent element can beexpressed as a set of instructions, so the program may be expressed asan instruction set. The program is also expressed as a module.

The memory 110 can store at least one or more programs includinginstructions performing an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

The data storage unit 111 stores data generated during the execution ofa function corresponding to the program stored in the memory 110. Thedata storage unit 111 according to the present exemplary embodiment canstore an image. At this time, the stored image includes at least one ofan image captured through the camera 140, a previously stored image, andan image received from at least one other electronic device or a server.Further, the data storage unit 111 can store a messagetransmission/reception history by electronic device.

The OS software 112 (for example, a built-in operating system such asWINDOWS, LINUX, Darwin, RTXC, UNIX, OS X, or VxWorks) includes varioussoftware constituent elements controlling general system operations.Control of the general system operations includes memory management andcontrol, storage hardware (device) control and management, power controland management and the like. Further, the OS software 112 performs afunction of making smooth communication between various hardware(devices) and software constituent elements (programs).

The application program 113 includes applications of a browser, anelectronic mail (e-mail), a message, word processing, an address book, awidget, Digital Right Management (DRM), voice recognition, voicereplication, a position determining function, a location-based service,a call and the like.

The graphical user interface program 114 includes at least one softwareconstituent element providing a user interface using a graphic between auser and the electronic device 100. That is, the graphical userinterface program 114 includes at least one software constituent elementfor displaying user interface information on the I/O unit 130. Accordingto the present exemplary embodiment, the graphical user interfaceprogram 114 includes an instruction for displaying a messagetransmission/reception history with at least one other electronicdevice. At this time, the at least one other electronic devicerepresents a conversation partner's electronic devicetransmitting/receiving a message, and the message transmission/receptionhistory represents a transmission/reception history (e.g., transmissionmessage content, message transmission time, reception message content,message reception time, conversation partner's confirmation ornon-confirmation for a transmission message and the like) of a messagetransmitted/received between the user of the electronic device 100 and aconversation partner of at least one other electronic device.

Also, the graphical user interface program 114 includes an instructionfor displaying a preview screen of the camera 140 within a screen inwhich a message transmission/reception history is displayed. At thistime, the preview screen can be displayed in any region within thescreen in which the message transmission/reception history is displayedor can be displayed within a talk balloon in which message content isdisplayed. Also, the graphical user interface program 114 includes aninstruction for moving the preview screen from a current region toanother region by the camera program 115. That is, the preview screen isdisplayed in a lower right region within the screen in which the messagetransmission/reception history is displayed in the drawing illustratingexemplary embodiments of the present invention described below. But,according to user control, the preview screen can be moved even to anylocation within the screen in which the message transmission/receptionhistory is displayed.

Also, if a multi touch on a preview screen is sensed by the cameraprogram 115, the graphical user interface program 114 can zoom in or outthe preview screen according to the sensed multi touch and display thezoomed preview screen. Also, the graphical user interface program 114can display the preview screen in a full screen region in which amessage transmission/reception history is displayed. Here, in a casewhere the preview screen is displayed in the full screen region in whichthe message transmission/reception history is displayed, the previewscreen can be displayed as a wallpaper screen of the messagetransmission/reception history.

Also, the graphical user interface program 114 can arrange the displayedpreview screen in front of a message window, or arrange the displayedpreview screen as the wallpaper in rear of the message window.

Further, the graphical user interface program 114 includes aninstruction for displaying recently stored at least one image around thepreview screen. For example, the graphical user interface program 114can display the recently stored at least one image at a lower end of thepreview screen.

The camera program 115 includes a camera related software constituentelement enabling camera related processes and functions. In the presentexemplary embodiment, if a camera execution menu is selected in a statein which a message transmission/reception history is displayed, thecamera program 115 can execute the camera 140 to display a camerapreview screen in any region of a screen in which a messagetransmission/reception history is displayed. For example, the cameraprogram 115 includes an instruction for displaying the camera previewscreen in any region within the screen in which the messagetransmission/reception history with at least one other electronic deviceis displayed as illustrated in FIG. 6, or displaying the camera previewscreen within a talk balloon within the screen in which the messagetransmission/reception history with the at least one other electronicdevice is displayed as illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of displaying a previewscreen in any region of a screen in which a messagetransmission/reception history is displayed, to capture and transmit animage in an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example ofdisplaying a preview screen within a talk balloon including atransmission message, to capture and transmit an image in an electronicdevice according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

At this time, the camera preview screen can be arranged and displayed infront of a message window, or can be arranged and displayed as thewallpaper in rear of the message window. The arrangement of the camerapreview screen can be set in a setting step, and can be changedaccording to user control.

Further, the camera program 115 can display recently stored at least oneor more images around a region in which a camera preview screen isdisplayed. At this time, whether to display only the camera previewscreen or whether to concurrently display the camera preview screen andthe recently stored at least one or more images can be determinedaccording to user control or can be previously determined in a settingstep.

Further, the camera program 115 includes an instruction for recognizingthat a multi touch on a preview screen region is sensed through the I/Ounit 130, and performing a function corresponding to the sensed multitouch. For example, if at least two or more drags making progress indifferent directions about the preview screen region are sensed, thecamera program 115 can zoom in or out the preview screen regiondepending on progress lengths of the sensed drags and/or progresslocations thereof. At this time, if the sensed drags make progress apreset threshold distance or more, the camera program 115 zooms in thepreview screen region by as much as a size of a screen in which amessage transmission/reception history is displayed, thereby beingcapable of displaying the preview screen like a wallpaper screen of thescreen in which the message transmission/reception history is displayedas illustrated in FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of zooming in a previewscreen region by as much as a size of a screen in which a messagetransmission/reception history is displayed in an electronic deviceaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

For another example, if the sensed multi touch on the preview screenregion is dragged so as to be getting closer to each other, the cameraprogram 115 can zoom out the preview screen region depending on progresslengths of the sensed drags and/or progress locations thereof. Also, ifat least two or more drags making progress in the same direction aboutthe preview screen region are sensed, the camera program 115 can movethe preview screen from a current region to another region according tothe progress locations of the sensed drags to display the moved previewscreen.

Further, if a touch on a camera preview screen is sensed, the cameraprogram 115 captures an image of a subject. Particularly, in a casewhere the preview screen is zoomed in by as much as a full screen inwhich a message transmission/reception history is displayed, if a touchon a region in which the message transmission/reception history is notdisplayed is sensed among a region of the zoomed-in preview screen, thecamera program 115 can capture the image of the subject.

If the image of the subject is captured due to the sensing of the touchon the preview screen, the camera program 115 converts the previewscreen into a screen displaying a captured image. That is, the cameraprogram 115 displays the captured image instead of the preview screen inthe preview screen region. After the image is captured, if a cancel menuis selected by user control, the camera program 115 again converts thescreen displaying the captured image into the preview screen.

Also, if a touch on a recently stored image displayed around a previewscreen region is sensed, the camera program 115 displays thetouch-sensed image instead of the preview screen in the preview screenregion. After displaying of the touch-sensed image, if a cancel menu isselected by user control, the camera program 115 again converts a screendisplaying the touch-sensed image into the preview screen.

Further, the camera program 115 includes an instruction for, if agesture for a captured image is sensed, transmitting the captured imageto at least one other electronic device. At this time, the gestureincludes at least one of a drag, a multi touch double tap, and a tap ofa predetermined period of time. For example, if the double tap is sensedfor the captured image, the camera program 115 can transmit the capturedimage to at least one other electronic device associated with a messagetransmission/reception history that is being displayed at least on ascreen.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of capturing andtransmitting an image within a screen in which a messagetransmission/reception history is displayed in an electronic deviceaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

For another example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, if a drag making progressfrom the inside of a captured image to the outside thereof is sensed,the camera program 115 can transmit the captured image to at least oneother electronic device. Particularly, if a drag makes progress from theinside of the captured image to a direction in which a message receivedfrom at least one other electronic device has been displayed, the cameraprogram 115 can transmit the captured image to the at least one otherelectronic device.

Further, the camera program 115 can split a screen region in which amessage transmission/reception history is displayed into at least tworegions and then, store or transmit a corresponding image according towhich region among the split screen regions a drag sensed for a capturedimage makes progress to. For example, assuming that the camera program115 splits a screen region into three regions, if a drag for a capturedimage is sensed only within a 1st screen region, the camera program 115can store the captured image in the data storage unit 111 of the memory110, without transmitting the captured image to the at least one otherelectronic device. For another example, if it is sensed that the dragfor the captured image makes progress from the 1st screen region to a2nd screen region, the camera program 115 can store the captured imagein the data storage unit 111 of the memory 100 while transmitting thecaptured image to the at least one other electronic device. For furtherexample, if it is sensed that the drag for the captured image makesprogress from the 1st screen region to a 3rd screen region, the cameraprogram 115 can transmit the captured image to the at least one otherelectronic device, without storing the captured image in the datastorage unit 111 of the memory 110.

Also, if a gesture for a recently stored image is sensed, the cameraprogram 115 can transmit a gesture-sensed image to at least one otherelectronic device. For example, if it is sensed that a drag makesprogress from the inside of a recently stored image displayed around apreview screen region to the outside thereof, the camera program 115 cantransmit the drag-sensed image to at least one other electronic device.At this time, if a touch on a specific image among recently storedimages displayed around the preview screen region is sensed, the cameraprogram 115 can display the touch-sensed specific image in the previewscreen region and then, sense a separate drag for the displayed image totransmit the drag-sensed image to the at least one other electronicdevice. Also, if the drag for the specific image among the recentlystored images displayed around the preview screen region is sensed, thecamera program 115 can just transmit the drag-sensed specific image tothe at least one other electronic device, without displaying thedrag-sensed specific image in the preview screen region.

Also, the camera program 115 includes an instruction for displaying anicon for capturing mode conversion within a screen in which a messagetransmission/reception history is displayed and, if the icon is selectedby user control, converting an image (or still picture) capturing modeinto a video capturing mode or converting the video capturing mode intothe image capturing mode. Also, the camera program 115 can sense apreset gesture to convert a capturing mode. For example, the cameraprogram 115 can sense a double tap, a tap of a predetermined period oftime, and a single touch or multi touch making progress in a presetshape to convert the capturing mode.

After converting the image capturing mode into the video capturing mode,if a tap of a predetermined period of time for a preview screen issensed, the camera program 115 can capture a video for a time duringwhich the tap is sensed. For example, if a tap of one minute for thepreview screen is sensed in the video capturing mode, the camera program115 can capture a video for one minute.

The message program 116 can control the communication unit 150 for thesake of message transmission/reception with at least one otherelectronic device.

The processor 120 can be, although not illustrated, composed of at leastone processor and peripheral interface. Also, the processor 120 executesa specific program (i.e., an instruction set) stored in the memory 110to perform a plurality of specific functions corresponding to theexecuted program.

The I/O unit 130, which is a touch-sensitive display, provides aninterface for touch input/output between the electronic device 100 and auser. The I/O unit 130 is a medium for sensing a touch (or a contact)through a touch sensor (not shown), forwarding a sensed touch input tothe electronic device 100, and visually providing an output of theelectronic device 100 to the user. That is, the I/O unit 130 provides avisual output based on a text, a graphic, and a video to the user, inresponse to the touch input.

The I/O unit 130 includes a touch sense surface sensing a user's touchinput, to sense a user's touch input of a haptic contact scheme, atactile contact scheme or a combination scheme of them. For example, atouch sense point of the I/O unit 130 corresponds to a digit that isused for contact to the touch sense surface. Also, the I/O unit 130senses a contact of an external device such as a stylus pen and the likethrough the touch sense surface. The detected contact is transformedinto interaction corresponding to a user interface object (e.g., a softkey) displayed on the I/O unit 130.

The I/O unit 130 provides an interface for touch input/output betweenthe electronic device 100 and a user. In detail, the I/O unit 130 is amedium for forwarding a user's touch input to the electronic device 100,and visually providing an output of the electronic device 100 to theuser. The I/O unit 130 can use various display technologies such as aLiquid Crystal Display (LCD), a Light Emitting Diode (LED), a Lightemitting Polymer Display (LPD), an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED),an Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode (AMOLED), or a FlexibleLED (FLED). The I/O unit 130 of the present exemplary embodiment is notlimited to a touch screen using these display technologies. Also, theI/O unit 130 can sense a start of a contact to a touch sense surface, amovement of the contact, or an interruption or termination of thecontact, by using various touch detection (or sensing) technologies suchas capacitive detection, resistive detection, infrared detection andsurface acoustic wave detection technologies. The I/O unit 130 accordingto the present exemplary embodiment can display a messagetransmission/reception history and can display a camera preview screenin any region of a screen in which the message transmission/receptionhistory is displayed. Further, the I/O unit 130 can sense a gesture forthe displayed preview screen. At this time, the gesture includes atleast one of a tap, a double tap, a drag, and a tap of a predeterminedperiod of time.

The camera 140 can capture an image of a subject according to usercontrol. Particularly, if a camera execution menu is selected in a statewhere a message transmission/reception history is displayed, the camera140 according to the present exemplary embodiment can be executed tocapture an image of the subject. Further, in a video capturing mode, thecamera 140 can capture a video during a time during which a touch issensed for a preview screen by control of the camera program 115. Atthis time, the camera 140 can be provided at least one surface among afront surface of the electronic device 100 and a rear surface thereof.In a case where the camera 140 is provided at all of the front surfaceand the rear surface, the rear surface camera 140 is executed asdefault. At this time, the executed camera among the front and rearsurface cameras can be changed according to user control, and can bepreviously determined in a setting step.

The communication unit 150 can include a radio frequency receiver andtransceiver and/or an optical (e.g., infrared) receiver and transceiver.For example, the communication unit 150 can include a wirelesscommunication system supporting any one of a Global System for MobileCommunication (GSM) network, an Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE)network, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, a Wireless-CodeDivision Multiple Access (W-CDMA) network, a Long Term Evolution (LTE)network, an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA)network, a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) network, Near Field Communication(NFC), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), a Wireless interoperability forMicrowave Access (WiMAX) network or/and a Bluetooth network. A wirelesscommunication system according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention is not limited to the wireless communication system supportingthe aforementioned networks, and may be a wireless communication systemsupporting other networks. The communication unit 150 according to thepresent exemplary embodiment can transmit an image and a video to atleast one other electronic device by the camera program 115. Further,the communication unit 150 according to the present exemplary embodimentcan receive an image and a video from at least one other electronicdevice. Also, the communication unit 150 can transmit/receive a messagewith at least one other electronic device.

FIG. 1B illustrates a construction of a processor of an electronicdevice according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1B, the processor 120 includes a camera processor 122and a message control processor 124. According to this, the processor120 directly performs functions of the camera program 115 and themessage program 116 in FIG. 1A.

That is, the camera processor 122 includes a camera related softwareconstituent element enabling camera related processes and functions. Inthe present exemplary embodiment, if a camera execution menu is selectedin a state in which a message transmission/reception history isdisplayed, the camera processor 122 can execute the camera 140 todisplay a camera preview screen in any region of a screen in which amessage transmission/reception history is displayed. For example, thecamera processor 122 performs a function for displaying the camerapreview screen in any region within the screen in which the messagetransmission/reception history with at least one other electronic deviceis displayed as illustrated in FIG. 6, or displaying the camera previewscreen within a talk balloon within the screen in which the messagetransmission/reception history with the at least one other electronicdevice is displayed as illustrated in FIG. 7. At this time, the camerapreview screen can be arranged and displayed in front of a messagewindow, or can be arranged and displayed as the wallpaper in rear of themessage window. The arrangement of the camera preview screen can be setin a setting step, and can be changed according to user control.

Further, the camera processor 122 can display recently stored at leastone or more images around a region in which a camera preview screen isdisplayed. At this time, whether to display only the camera previewscreen or whether to concurrently display the camera preview screen andthe recently stored at least one or more images can be determinedaccording to user control or can be previously determined in a settingstep.

Further, the camera processor 122 performs a control function forrecognizing that a multi touch on a preview screen region is sensedthrough the I/O unit 130, and performing a function corresponding to thesensed multi touch. For example, if at least two or more drags makingprogress in different directions about the preview screen region aresensed, the camera processor 122 can zoom in or out the preview screenregion depending on progress lengths of the sensed drags and/or progresslocations thereof. At this time, if the sensed drags make progress apreset threshold distance or more, the camera processor 122 zooms in thepreview screen region by as much as a size of a screen in which amessage transmission/reception history is displayed, thereby beingcapable of displaying the preview screen like a wallpaper screen of thescreen in which the message transmission/reception history is displayedas illustrated in FIG. 9. For another example, if the sensed multi touchon the preview screen region is dragged so as to be getting closer toeach other, the camera processor 122 can zoom out the preview screenregion depending on progress lengths of the sensed drags and/or progresslocations thereof. Also, if at least two or more drags making progressin the same direction about the preview screen region are sensed, thecamera processor 122 can move the preview screen from a current regionto another region according to the progress locations of the senseddrags to display the moved preview screen.

Further, if a touch on a camera preview screen is sensed, the cameraprocessor 122 captures an image of a subject. Particularly, in a casewhere the preview screen is zoomed in by as much as a full screen inwhich a message transmission/reception history is displayed, if a touchon a region in which the message transmission/reception history is notdisplayed is sensed among a region of the zoomed-in preview screen, thecamera processor 122 can capture an image of the subject.

If the image of the subject is captured due to the sensing of the touchon the preview screen, the camera processor 122 converts the previewscreen into a captured image display screen. That is, the cameraprocessor 122 displays a captured image instead of the preview screen inthe preview screen region. After the image is captured, if a cancel menuis selected by user control, the camera processor 122 again converts thecaptured image display screen into the preview screen.

Also, if a touch on a recently stored image displayed around a previewscreen region is sensed, the camera processor 122 displays thetouch-sensed image instead of the preview screen in the preview screenregion. After displaying of the touch-sensed image, if a cancel menu isselected by user control, the camera processor 122 again converts ascreen displaying the touch-sensed image into the preview screen.

Further, the camera processor 122 performs a control function for, if agesture for a captured image is sensed, transmitting the captured imageto at least one other electronic device. At this time, the gestureincludes at least one of a drag, a multi touch double tap, and a tap ofa predetermined period of time. For example, if the double tap is sensedfor the captured image, the camera processor 122 can transmit thecaptured image to at least one other electronic device associated with amessage transmission/reception history that is being displayed at leaston a screen. For another example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, if a dragmaking progress from the inside of a captured image to the outsidethereof is sensed, the camera processor 122 can transmit the capturedimage to at least one other electronic device. Particularly, if a dragmakes progress from the inside of the captured image to a direction inwhich a message received from at least one other electronic device hasbeen displayed, the camera processor 122 can transmit the captured imageto the at least one other electronic device.

Further, the camera processor 122 can split a screen region in which amessage transmission/reception history is displayed into at least tworegions and then, store or transmit a corresponding image according towhich region among the split screen regions a drag sensed for a capturedimage makes progress to. For example, assuming that the camera processor122 splits a screen region into three regions, if a drag for a capturedimage is sensed only within a 1st screen region, the camera processor122 can store the captured image in the data storage unit 111 of thememory 110, without transmitting the captured image to at least oneother electronic device. For another example, if it is sensed that thedrag for the captured image makes progress from the 1st screen region toa 2nd screen region, the camera processor 122 can store the capturedimage in the data storage unit 111 of the memory 100 while transmittingthe captured image to the at least one other electronic device. For afurther example, if it is sensed that the drag for the captured imagemakes progress from the 1st screen region to a 3rd screen region, thecamera processor 122 can transmit the captured image to at least oneother electronic device, without storing the captured image in the datastorage unit 111 of the memory 110.

Also, if a gesture for a recently stored image is sensed, the cameraprocessor 122 can transmit a gesture-sensed image to at least one otherelectronic device. For example, if it is sensed that a drag makesprogress from the inside of a recently stored image displayed around apreview screen region to the outside thereof, the camera processor 122can transmit the drag-sensed image to at least one other electronicdevice. At this time, if a touch on a specific image among recentlystored images displayed around the preview screen region is sensed, thecamera processor 122 can display the touch-sensed specific image in thepreview screen region and then, sense a separate drag for the displayedimage to transmit the drag-sensed image to the at least one otherelectronic device. Also, if the drag for the specific image among therecently stored images displayed around the preview screen region issensed, the camera processor 122 can transmit the drag-sensed specificimage to the at least one other electronic device, without displayingthe drag-sensed specific image in the preview screen region.

Also, the camera processor 122 performs a function for displaying anicon for capturing mode conversion within a screen in which a messagetransmission/reception history is displayed and, if the icon is selectedby user control, converting an image (or still picture) capturing modeinto a video capturing mode or converting the video capturing mode intothe image capturing mode. Also, the camera processor 122 can sense apreset gesture to convert a capturing mode. For example, the cameraprocessor 122 can sense a double tap, a tap of a predetermined period oftime, and a single touch or multi touch making progress in a presetshape to convert the capturing mode.

After converting the image capturing mode into the video capturing mode,if a tap of a predetermined period of time for a preview screen issensed, the camera processor 122 can capture a video for a time duringwhich the tap is sensed. For example, if a tap of one minute for thepreview screen is sensed in the video capturing mode, the cameraprocessor 122 can capture a video for one minute.

The message processor 124 can control the communication unit 150 for thesake of message transmission/reception with at least one otherelectronic device.

FIG. 2A illustrates a procedure of transmitting a captured image to atleast one other electronic device in an electronic device according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2A, in step 201, the electronic device 100 displays amessage transmission/reception history with at least one otherelectronic device. At this time, the message transmission/receptionhistory represents a transmission/reception history of a messagetransmitted/received between the user of the electronic device 100 and aconversation partner of at least one other electronic device.

After that, the electronic device 100 proceeds to step 203 and senses aselection of a camera execution menu. At this time, the electronicdevice 100 can display a menu (e.g., a camera icon) for camera executionwithin a screen in which the message transmission/reception history isdisplayed.

In step 205, the electronic device 100 can display a camera previewscreen within the screen in which the message transmission/receptionhistory is displayed. At this time, the electronic device 100 candisplay the camera preview screen in any region within the screen inwhich the message transmission/reception history is displayed, ordisplay the camera preview screen within a talk balloon including atransmission message.

Next, the electronic device 100 proceeds to step 207 and can capture animage of a subject if a touch on the preview screen is sensed. At thistime, the electronic device 100 can display a captured image in apreview screen region. Further, in a video capturing mode, theelectronic device 100 can capture a video for a time during which thepreview screen is touched.

After that, the electronic device 100 proceeds to step 209 and transmitsthe captured image to the at least one other electronic device if agesture for the captured image is detected. At this time, the gestureincludes at least one of a double tap, a drag, and a tap of apredetermined period of time. For example, if the double tap for thecaptured image is sensed, the electronic device 100 can transmit thecaptured image to the at least one other electronic device. For anotherexample, if a drag making progress from the inside of the captured imageto the outside thereof is sensed, the electronic device 100 can transmitthe captured image to the at least one other electronic device. At thistime, the outside of the captured image means a direction in which amessage received from the at least one other electronic device isdisplayed within the screen in which the message transmission/receptionhistory is displayed.

FIG. 2B illustrates a means for transmitting a captured image to atleast one other electronic device in an electronic device according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the electronic device 100 includes a means 211 fordisplaying a message transmission/reception history with at least oneother electronic device, and a means 213 for sensing a selection of acamera execution menu. At this time, the camera 140 can be provided inat least one surface among a front surface of the electronic device 100and a rear surface thereof. If the camera 140 is provided in all of thefront surface and the rear surface, the electronic device 100 basicallyexecutes a rear surface camera 140. The electronic device 100 caninclude a means for changing the executed camera 140 according usercontrol.

Further, the electronic device 100 includes a means 215 for displaying acamera preview screen within a screen in which a messagetransmission/reception history is displayed.

Also, the electronic device 100 includes a means 217 for, if a touch ona preview screen is sensed, capturing an image of a subject, andincludes a means 219 for, if a gesture for a captured image is detected,transmitting the captured image to at least one other electronic device.At this time, the gesture includes at least one of a double tap, a drag,and a tap of a predetermined period of time. The electronic device 100includes a means for detecting the gesture.

FIG. 3 illustrates a procedure of capturing and transmitting an imagewithin a screen in which a message transmission/reception history isdisplayed in an electronic device according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the electronic device 100 executes a messengerapplication in step 301 and then, proceeds to step 303 and displays amessage transmission/reception history. At this time, the messagetransmission/reception history represents a transmission/receptionhistory of a message transmitted/received between a user of theelectronic device 100 and a conversation partner of at least one otherelectronic device. For example, the message transmission/receptionhistory includes at least one of transmission message content, messagetransmission time, reception message content, message reception time,conversation partner's confirmation or non-confirmation for atransmission message and the like.

After that, in step 305, the electronic device senses a selection of acamera execution menu (e.g., a camera icon). In other words, theelectronic device 100 can sense the selection of the camera executionmenu displayed within the screen in which the messagetransmission/reception history is displayed.

Next, the electronic device 100 proceeds to step 307 and displays acamera preview screen and a recently stored image. At this time, thepreview screen can be displayed in any region within the screen in whichthe message transmission/reception history is displayed or can bedisplayed within a talk balloon in which message content is displayed.For example, the electronic device 100 can display a preview screen in alower right region within the screen in which the messagetransmission/reception history is displayed as illustrated in FIGS. 4 to6.

For another example, the electronic device 100 can display a previewscreen within a talk balloon including a transmission message within thescreen in which the message transmission/reception history is displayedas illustrated in FIG. 7. Also, the recently stored at least one imagecan be displayed in any region within the screen in which the messagetransmission/reception history is displayed or in a region around thepreview screen. For example, the electronic device 100 can displayrecently stored three images among images stored in the data storageunit 111, at a lower end of the preview screen as illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of displaying a recentlystored image around a preview screen to transmit the displayed image inan electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of adjusting a size of apreview screen and a location thereof in an electronic device accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

At this time, as illustrated in FIG. 5, if a multi touch on the previewscreen is sensed, the electronic device 100 can adjust a size of thepreview screen and a location thereof according to the sensed multitouch. For example, if the multi touch sensed for the preview screenregion is dragged to as to be getting distant from each other, theelectronic device 100 can zoom in a preview screen region depending onprogress lengths of the sensed drags and progress locations thereof.Particularly, if the drags sensed for the preview screen region makeprogress a preset threshold distance or more, the electronic device 100zooms in the preview screen region by as much as a size of a screen inwhich a message transmission/reception history is displayed, therebybeing capable of obtaining the same effect as the preview screen is awallpaper screen of the screen in which the messagetransmission/reception history is displayed as illustrated in FIG. 9.For another example, if the sensed multi touch on the preview screenregion is dragged to as to be getting closer to each other, theelectronic device 100 can zoom out an image displayed in the previewscreen region depending on progress lengths of the sensed drags and/orprogress locations thereof. For further example, if at least two or moredrags making progress in the same direction about the preview screenregion are sensed, the electronic device 100 can move the preview screenaccording to locations of the sensed drags.

After that, the electronic device 100 proceeds to step 309 anddetermines whether a touch on a preview screen is sensed or whether atouch on a stored image is sensed.

If the touch on the preview screen is sensed in step 309, the electronicdevice 100 proceeds to step 311 and captures an image of a subject. Atthis time, after capturing the subject, the electronic device 100 canconvert the preview screen into a screen displaying a captured image.That is, the electronic device 100 can display the captured imageinstead of the preview screen in a region in which the preview screen isdisplayed. Here, if the preview screen region is zoomed in by as much asa size of the screen in which the message transmission/reception historyis displayed according to user control, the electronic device 100 cancapture the image of the subject, when a touch is sensed on a region inwhich the message transmission/reception history is not displayed.Further, if a current capturing mode is a video capturing mode, aftersensing a touch of a predetermined period of time on the preview screen,the electronic device 100 can capture a video while the sensed touch ismaintained.

Next, the electronic device 100 proceeds to step 313 and determines if agesture for the captured image is sensed. At this time, the gestureincludes at least one of a double tap, a drag, and a tap of apredetermined period of time. Here, the captured image is a meaningincluding the captured video.

If it is determined in step 313 that the gesture for the captured imageis not sensed, the electronic device 100 senses a selection of a cancelmenu in step 315 and then, returns to step 307 and again performs thesubsequent steps.

On contrary, if it is determined in step 313 that the gesture for thecaptured image is sensed, the electronic device 100 proceeds to step 317and transmits the captured image to at least one other electronic deviceand then, terminates the procedure according to the present exemplaryembodiment. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the electronic device100 can sense a drag for a captured image displayed in the previewscreen region, to transmit the captured image to at least one otherelectronic device. For another example, as illustrated in FIG. 7, theelectronic device 100 can sense a drag for a captured image displayed inthe preview screen region within a talk balloon including a transmissionmessage, to transmit the captured image displayed in the preview screenregion to at least one other electronic device.

At this time, the electronic device 100 can split a screen region inwhich a message transmission/reception history is displayed into atleast two regions and then, store and transmit a corresponding imagedepending on which screen region among the split screen regions a dragsensed for an image makes progress to.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of storing and transmittingan image depending on a progress region of a drag of the image in anelectronic device according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the electronic device 100 cansplit a screen region in which a message transmission/reception historyis displayed into regions ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’ and then, store and transmita corresponding image depending on which region among the regions ‘A’,‘B’, and ‘C’ the drag sensed for the image makes progress to. At thistime, if a drag sensed for a captured image makes progress only withinthe region ‘C’, the electronic device 100 can store the captured imagein the memory 100 and, if the drag sensed for the captured image startsfrom the region ‘C’ and makes progress to the region ‘B’, the electronicdevice 100 can store the captured image in the memory 110 andconcurrently transmit the captured image to at least one otherelectronic device. Also, if the drag sensed for the captured imagestarts from the region ‘C’ and makes progress to the region ‘A’, theelectronic device 100 can transmit the captured image to at least oneother electronic device without storing the captured image in the memory110.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of storing and transmittinga video depending on a progress region of a drag of the video in anelectronic device according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

For another example, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the electronic device100 can split a screen region in which a message transmission/receptionhistory is displayed into regions ‘A’ and ‘B’ and then, store andtransmit a captured video depending on which region among the regions‘A’ and ‘B’ the drag sensed for the captured video makes progress to. Ifa drag sensed for a captured video makes progress only within the region‘B’, the electronic device 100 can store the captured video in thememory 100 and, if the drag sensed for the captured video starts fromthe region ‘B’ and makes progress to the region ‘A’, the electronicdevice 100 can store the captured video in the memory 110 andconcurrently transmit the captured video to at least one otherelectronic device.

Also, in a state where an image is captured after a preview screenregion is zoomed in by as much as a size of a screen in which a messagetransmission/reception history is displayed, the electronic device 100can sense a touch on a region in which the messagetransmission/reception history is not displayed, and store and transmitthe captured image depending on which screen region the sensed touch isdragged to.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of storing and transmittinga zoomed-in image depending on a progress region of a drag of thezoomed-in image in an electronic device according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the electronic device 100 cansplit a screen region in which a message transmission/reception historyis displayed into regions ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’ and then, store and transmita captured image depending on which region among the regions ‘A’, ‘B’,and ‘C’ a touch generated in a region in which a messagetransmission/reception history is not displayed is dragged to. If thetouch for the region in which the message transmission/reception historyis not displayed is dragged only within the region ‘C’, the electronicdevice 100 can store the captured image in the memory 100. For anotherexample, if the touch for the region in which the messagetransmission/reception history is not displayed is sensed within theregion ‘C’ and is dragged to the region ‘B’, the electronic device 100can store the captured image in the memory 110 while transmitting thecaptured image to at least one other electronic device. For furtherexample, if the touch for the region in which the messagetransmission/reception history is not displayed is sensed within theregion ‘C’ and is dragged to the region ‘A’, the electronic device 100can transmit the captured image to at least one other electronic devicewithout storing the captured image in the memory 110.

If the touch on the stored image is sensed in step 309, the electronicdevice 100 proceeds to step 319 and substitutes and displays thetouch-sensed image in the preview screen region. In detail, if a touchon a specific image among images displayed around the preview screen issensed, the electronic device 100 can display the touch-sensed specificimage in the preview screen region. At this time, if the preview screenregion is greater than a recently stored image display region, thetouch-sensed specific image can be zoomed in and displayed according toa size of the preview screen region.

Next, the electronic device 100 proceeds to step 321 and determines if agesture for the substituted and displayed image is sensed. At this time,the gesture includes at least one of a double tap, a drag, and a tap ofa predetermined period of time, and can be the same gesture as thegesture for transmitting the captured image.

If it is determined in step 321 that the gesture for the substituted anddisplayed image is not sensed, the electronic device senses a selectionof a cancel menu in step 323 and then, returns to step 307 and againperforms the subsequent steps.

On contrary, if it is determined in step 321 that the gesture for thesubstituted and displayed image is sensed, the electronic device 100proceeds to step 325 and transmits the substituted and displayed imageto at least one other electronic device and then, terminates theprocedure according to the present exemplary embodiment. At this time,if a gesture for image transmission is sensed for an image displayedaround the preview screen as illustrated in FIG. 8, the electronicdevice 100 can transmit the gesture-sensed image to at least one otherelectronic device without a process of substituting and displaying thegesture-sensed image in the preview screen region.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention described in thisspecification and all function operations thereof can be implemented bycomputer software including structures disclosed in this specificationand equivalent structures thereof, firmware, hardware or a combinationof one or more of them. Also, the exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention described in this disclosure can be implemented by one or morecomputer program products, i.e., data processing devices, or can beimplemented by one or more modules of computer program instructionsencoded on a non-transitory computer readable medium for controllingoperations of these devices.

The non-transitory computer readable medium can be a machine readablestorage medium, a machine readable storage substrate, a memory device, aconstruction of substance affecting a machine readable radio wavestream, or a combination of one or more of them. The term of dataprocessing device includes, for example, a programmable processor, acomputer or multi-processor, or all data processing equipment, devicesand machines including the computer. The equipment can include a codeadded to hardware and generating an execution environment for acorresponding computer program, for example, a code constructing aprocessor firmware, a protocol stack, a database management system, anoperation system, or a combination of one or more of them.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference tocertain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of an electronic device with a displayand a camera, the method comprising: displaying a user interface of amessenger application that includes a first region providing history ofmessage transmission/reception between the electronic device and atleast another electronic device, a second region providing a text inputportion, and a third region providing an icon for accessing a camera,wherein the second region is separated from the third region; inresponse to detecting a first touch input on the second region whiledisplaying the user interface including the first region, the secondregion, and the third region separate from the second region, enabling afunction for providing a transmission message to the at least oneanother electronic device; and in response to detecting a second touchinput on the third region while displaying the user interface includingthe first region, the second region, and the third region, enabling afunction of the camera in the user interface with the messengerapplication being executed and displaying, based on the enabling of thecamera, a preview image based on at least a portion of images obtainedthrough the camera.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:detecting a third touch input associated with capturing an image whilethe preview image is displayed; capturing, in response to the detectingthe third touch input, the image; and displaying, in response to thecapturing, the image in the user interface.
 3. The method of claim 2,further comprising transmitting, to the at least one another electronicdevice, the image displayed in the user interface in response todetecting a fourth touch input within the user interface.
 4. The methodof claim 1, wherein the displaying the preview image comprises,displaying the preview image in response to the detection of the secondtouch input for selecting the icon for accessing the camera that isdisplayed in the third region.
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: detecting a third touch input associated with capturing avideo while the preview image is displayed; capturing, in response tothe detecting the third touch input, the video; and displaying, inresponse to the capturing, the video in the user interface.
 6. Anelectronic device comprising: at least one camera; one or moreprocessors configured to execute one or more programs; a touch sensingdisplay configured to detect the presence and location of a touch; and amemory configured to store data and instructions, wherein the one ormore programs are stored in the memory and comprise instructions suchthat, when the one or more programs are executed by the one or moreprocessors, the electronic device is configured to: display a userinterface of a messenger application that includes a first regionproviding history of message transmission/reception between theelectronic device and at least another electronic device, a secondregion providing a text input portion, and a third region providing anicon for accessing a camera, wherein the second region is separated fromthe third region, in response to detecting a first touch input on thesecond region while displaying the user interface including the firstregion, the second region, and the third region separate from the secondregion, enable a function for providing a transmission message to the atleast one another electronic device, and in response to detecting asecond touch input on the third region while displaying the userinterface including the first region, the second region, and the thirdregion, enable a function of the camera in the user interface with themessenger application being executed and display, based on the enablingof the camera, a preview image based on at least a portion of imagesobtained through the camera.
 7. The electronic device of claim 6,wherein the electronic device is further configured to: detect a thirdtouch input associated with capturing an image while the preview imageis displayed, capture, in response to the detecting the third touchinput, the image, and display, in response to the capturing, the imagein the user interface.
 8. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein theelectronic device is further configured to transmit, to the at least oneanother electronic device, the image displayed in the user interface inresponse to detecting a fourth touch input within the user interface. 9.The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the electronic device isfurther configured to display the preview image in response to thedetection of the second touch input for selecting the icon for accessingthe camera that is displayed in the third region.
 10. The electronicdevice of claim 6, wherein the electronic device is further configuredto: detect a third touch input associated with capturing a video whilethe preview image is displayed, capture, in response to the detectingthe third touch input, the video, and display, in response to thecapturing, the video in the user interface.
 11. A computer-readablemedium having computer-readable code executable by at least oneprocessor of an electronic device to perform the method of claim 1.